Oh my, January is rolling along at top speed in spite of all the cold and snow.
My birth family, now consisting of my sisters and myself, enjoyed a day with some of the kids and grandchildren last Saturday, finally having Christmas together. So our Christmas season lasted longer than usual, which was fine with everyone.
The nephew who got married on Thanksgiving hosted our Christmas party. That is great hospitality for a new bride, I think. He maintained that she was so eager to meet everyone and have everyone meet her and her children. We all had a jolly time together with much good food and lots of laughter and visiting of course.
Their area of the U.P. has had over 150 inches of snow, and with the polar vortex, there hasn't been much melting. I was amazed by the height of the snowbanks on the back streets. In main travel areas the plows and graders have taken the banks down or away completely, but trees have great snow clots stuck in the branches, and the roofs are laden with snow. Watch out for that mischief maker, Mayhem! (I hope that actor isn't stuck forever with that identity from the State Farm ads.)
Now that I have written that, I hope they're State Farm ads.
In other news, we've decided that it will be a nice break to spend a week in warmer weather. I have friends who are in transit to spend months in Florida or Texas. I can't be gone that long because of the Cat Family Members, but I'm getting to wish that we could do that.
As much as I love our cats, I wish cats were more adaptable and could travel. Taking them someplace would mean putting up with days of yowling from the cat carriers. I couldn't stand that, and neither could Good Guy!
While at home, I'm fretting about the ice dam on the eaves on the north side of our house. I'm trying a new product called Roof Melt in hopes that it will remedy the problem. Somebody remind me to tell you if it works!
Good luck to the teams that will be playing today. Once my team is out of it, I don't have much loyalty to anyone. Good Guy likes the Patriots though. (Tom Brady was a quarterback at U of M.) That's all it takes.
Stay warm, my friends, if you're in the Northern Hemisphere. There's still lots of winter ahead.
I sure know how to cheer folks up, don't I?
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
AT&T, We Love You
One of the reminders I made for myself for habits in the new year was to spend less time in front of screens. This includes television and game playing along with the internet.
It is working out even better than I would have hoped, thanks to lack of service for 48 hours. It is odd to pick up the land line and have no sound there at all, and no internet. Of course it isn't just odd, it's maddening. Even when you have cellular service and can phone and text if you want to.
It is akin to not having electricity or water in that I can't seem to think of anything to do that doesn't require the service of whatever isn't working at the moment. And I automatically use the light switches or the faucets even as I'm thinking about the fact that something isn't working. How much of our behavior is robotic???
Which, in turn, reminds me of how important it is to incorporate any good changes into daily habits. I get up early and make sure that by the time 7:00 AM shows on my clock I have breakfast and take my meds----so I don't forget about them completely.
By cutting down on screen time, I spend more time in front of the sewing machine and have pieced all the squares for a baby quilt and I'm sewing the rows together this morning. I'll post a photograph over the weekend sometime.
After days and days of numbing cold, we have warmer temperatures today. I expect to see some fool out there in shorts. I guess temperature is relative too.
I just finished reading Brain On Fire, by Susannah Cahalan. It's like an episode of House, except that her medical team seemed like normal human beings. They solved a tricky medical mystery, though.
Bye for now. I'm off to sew.
It is working out even better than I would have hoped, thanks to lack of service for 48 hours. It is odd to pick up the land line and have no sound there at all, and no internet. Of course it isn't just odd, it's maddening. Even when you have cellular service and can phone and text if you want to.
It is akin to not having electricity or water in that I can't seem to think of anything to do that doesn't require the service of whatever isn't working at the moment. And I automatically use the light switches or the faucets even as I'm thinking about the fact that something isn't working. How much of our behavior is robotic???
Which, in turn, reminds me of how important it is to incorporate any good changes into daily habits. I get up early and make sure that by the time 7:00 AM shows on my clock I have breakfast and take my meds----so I don't forget about them completely.
By cutting down on screen time, I spend more time in front of the sewing machine and have pieced all the squares for a baby quilt and I'm sewing the rows together this morning. I'll post a photograph over the weekend sometime.
After days and days of numbing cold, we have warmer temperatures today. I expect to see some fool out there in shorts. I guess temperature is relative too.
I just finished reading Brain On Fire, by Susannah Cahalan. It's like an episode of House, except that her medical team seemed like normal human beings. They solved a tricky medical mystery, though.
Bye for now. I'm off to sew.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
End it with a Four!
Does anybody else write checks anymore?
I believe I have, at least temporarily, solved the 2013/2014 problem. My sister once advised me to write in the year for a few checks into the new year, when I'm likely to automatically fill in the old year. It always seems to me that it would be wise to keep my wits about me while I'm writing a check and not have my brain go on a little mini-vacation with my money. But I digress....
But this year I'm keeping my journal in a big spiral bound notebook which is blank. Therefore, I need to fill in the dates myself. So far I have written 2014 for January, February, March, April, and May. I think I'm getting the hang of 2014. By about the September dating, I'll feel confident.
You may notice the change in the header, from Tahquamenon Falls to a quilt top. I like it. I sewed some darker borders around the edges, which makes it too large to fit on the backing I have for it. So the borders will come off again and I'll use them for a dark binding on the edges.
I need to learn to plan so the tops fit nicely onto a 44 inch flannel back. What is the saying that the Amish say. So soon old, so late smart? That's so true.
My friends have picked a words to guide them into the new year. One picked Focus, one picked Order, one picked Simplicity. (All good words. I'm partial to Chocolate, myself.) I'm choosing Generous. I need a reminder against stinginess.
The coldness of our winter seems to make the nightly news on a regular basis. It is a reason to be thankful that we have working utilities and a reliable furnace. Doing anything outdoors becomes a chore to be avoided, so I bundle up to feed the birds and rearrange the snow a bit and then dash back indoors to bundle up and drink something hot.
Even in this weather, when I envy folks in warm places, I remember how much I hate hot weather. I can function in the cold, but not in the heat. I pity the fans and players who will be at Lambeau Field tomorrow. It will be brutal!
Excuse me now while I un-sew my borders. I'll be back soon.
I believe I have, at least temporarily, solved the 2013/2014 problem. My sister once advised me to write in the year for a few checks into the new year, when I'm likely to automatically fill in the old year. It always seems to me that it would be wise to keep my wits about me while I'm writing a check and not have my brain go on a little mini-vacation with my money. But I digress....
But this year I'm keeping my journal in a big spiral bound notebook which is blank. Therefore, I need to fill in the dates myself. So far I have written 2014 for January, February, March, April, and May. I think I'm getting the hang of 2014. By about the September dating, I'll feel confident.
You may notice the change in the header, from Tahquamenon Falls to a quilt top. I like it. I sewed some darker borders around the edges, which makes it too large to fit on the backing I have for it. So the borders will come off again and I'll use them for a dark binding on the edges.
I need to learn to plan so the tops fit nicely onto a 44 inch flannel back. What is the saying that the Amish say. So soon old, so late smart? That's so true.
My friends have picked a words to guide them into the new year. One picked Focus, one picked Order, one picked Simplicity. (All good words. I'm partial to Chocolate, myself.) I'm choosing Generous. I need a reminder against stinginess.
The coldness of our winter seems to make the nightly news on a regular basis. It is a reason to be thankful that we have working utilities and a reliable furnace. Doing anything outdoors becomes a chore to be avoided, so I bundle up to feed the birds and rearrange the snow a bit and then dash back indoors to bundle up and drink something hot.
Even in this weather, when I envy folks in warm places, I remember how much I hate hot weather. I can function in the cold, but not in the heat. I pity the fans and players who will be at Lambeau Field tomorrow. It will be brutal!
Excuse me now while I un-sew my borders. I'll be back soon.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
High Energy
During this year, I have gradually devoted more of my "knitting time" to quilting. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to confess that it is more like reading about quilting.
I spend many Wednesdays with my quilting friends, so peer pressure has me doing some quilting. Plus one of these friends directs me to online sources of inspiration and patterns called Quiltville.com.
Bonnie Hunter is the mayor of Quiltville, and she is a whirling dervish of energy. She must be to accomplish all that she does. She sews, of course. She travels and teaches, and yet she blogs daily---almost always once a day, and sometimes more.
Her specialty is scrap quilting, which is why I was so drawn to seeing what she does with her "leftovers". I have drawers of bits and want to clear them out at some point. Bonnie is encouraging me to sit by the sewing machine instead of the browser.
Obviously, this is a work in progress. But at the end of 2014 I want to be able to say I've accomplished more than ever before because I kept at it. And fasted from the internet sometimes.
On other fronts, as I summed up the year I discovered that instead of my usual 80 plus books, I read more like 60 plus books. The most memorable book of the year was Gone Girl, and the most recommended book is Still Alice.
If I were a crusader, I would want society to learn how to relate to kids with autism. If there are as many as reports say there are, it would be good for us to know. I stay home so much, I'm not sure I know how to relate to anyone, much less people with even fewer social skills than I have.
Just in case I don't post again until 2014, I'll sneak in a Happy New Year wish for you here.
I wish you the very happiest, healthiest new year ever!
Cheers!
I spend many Wednesdays with my quilting friends, so peer pressure has me doing some quilting. Plus one of these friends directs me to online sources of inspiration and patterns called Quiltville.com.
Bonnie Hunter is the mayor of Quiltville, and she is a whirling dervish of energy. She must be to accomplish all that she does. She sews, of course. She travels and teaches, and yet she blogs daily---almost always once a day, and sometimes more.
Her specialty is scrap quilting, which is why I was so drawn to seeing what she does with her "leftovers". I have drawers of bits and want to clear them out at some point. Bonnie is encouraging me to sit by the sewing machine instead of the browser.
Obviously, this is a work in progress. But at the end of 2014 I want to be able to say I've accomplished more than ever before because I kept at it. And fasted from the internet sometimes.
On other fronts, as I summed up the year I discovered that instead of my usual 80 plus books, I read more like 60 plus books. The most memorable book of the year was Gone Girl, and the most recommended book is Still Alice.
If I were a crusader, I would want society to learn how to relate to kids with autism. If there are as many as reports say there are, it would be good for us to know. I stay home so much, I'm not sure I know how to relate to anyone, much less people with even fewer social skills than I have.
Just in case I don't post again until 2014, I'll sneak in a Happy New Year wish for you here.
I wish you the very happiest, healthiest new year ever!
Cheers!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Sigh of Contentment?
T'was the day after Christmas,
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse.......
I'm never quite sure what's afoot the day after. Is it relief or is it just a big let-down? I suppose it's a different thing for each person, and it's probably a different thing each year. I am contented and feeling wonderfully blessed this year, now that Christmas celebrations are over.
I don't have a tradition of celebrating Boxing Day, so that isn't on my radar. I do have one more box to send to someone who's in Europe over the holidays so I could legitimately send the gift late. My one last Christmas-related chore.
My Christmas with my sisters is also in the future, because one is out of the area to enjoy Christmas with her daughter and son-in-law.
In an unrelated update, I knit many pairs of socks for my kids for Christmas, but the piece de resistance was this pair of sneaker slippers which was a request from my grandson. I think it was a request------he posted a picture on Facebook without any comment. Could it be a hint?
I couldn't find a pattern for the ones he posted, but I did find another pattern on Ravelry for slippers that look like sneakers and I'll show you how they turned out.
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse.......
I'm never quite sure what's afoot the day after. Is it relief or is it just a big let-down? I suppose it's a different thing for each person, and it's probably a different thing each year. I am contented and feeling wonderfully blessed this year, now that Christmas celebrations are over.
I don't have a tradition of celebrating Boxing Day, so that isn't on my radar. I do have one more box to send to someone who's in Europe over the holidays so I could legitimately send the gift late. My one last Christmas-related chore.
My Christmas with my sisters is also in the future, because one is out of the area to enjoy Christmas with her daughter and son-in-law.
In an unrelated update, I knit many pairs of socks for my kids for Christmas, but the piece de resistance was this pair of sneaker slippers which was a request from my grandson. I think it was a request------he posted a picture on Facebook without any comment. Could it be a hint?
I couldn't find a pattern for the ones he posted, but I did find another pattern on Ravelry for slippers that look like sneakers and I'll show you how they turned out.
The pattern by Joan Hamer shows longer legs which look like sport socks with stripes at the top, but the recipient lives in Florida, land of the flip-flop. What does he need with long warm socks on his legs? (I said to myself.) It wasn't because I was too lazy to knit them, either. I had plenty of yarn, and time enough to do them. It just seemed to me they'd be more useful if they were less hot.
So I find myself without a knitting project. I stashed away a baby sweater when I rearranged my project bag and it hasn't reappeared yet. In the meantime I have another interest to pursue.
Good Guy fulfilled my only Christmas request. I wanted a portable, reliable, light sewing machine which I could take to quilting events and retreats. He got me this little beauty which gets rave reviews from my friends who own her sister machines.
I
She's a lovely, light addition to my stable of useful stitching paraphenalia (spell-check won't pass any spelling I come up with for that word. Forgive me.) I now have four sewing machines. The one I've had the longest was a wedding gift in the early 1960's. It's a wonderful machine still, from the days when Singer was the brand name to buy.
My second machine was purchased at a yard sale and had been sitting in a garage for awhile with nobody to love it. I parted with $25.00 and somehow loaded the piece of furniture containing a sewing machine into my trunk. It was jammed full of lint. but after it was cleaned and oiled, it ran quietly and beautifully. (It was made in New Jersey in 1947.) It doesn't have fancy stitches, but it's perfect for piecing quilts. Quiet and reliable.
The third machine has been used a lot by someone, judging from the stuff that came along with it. Good Guy went to an auction in town and came home with a desk full of sewing supplies and a "portable" sewing machine which had a service tag attached with this date on it. 7/17/90.
It's portable in that it is in a carrying case. However it weighs about 40 pounds, at the very least and I don't think it's easy to tote around. I have gotten it to stitch, though and it's usable, if not "friendly".
This new "Little Sister" is very sweet though, and I will love her. I need to devise a good guide for a 1/4 inch seam and then we're good to go.
So that's a little bit of what's happening here on the day after Christmas. In the time it's taken me to write this and take pictures, check dates, etc. more is stirring. Bacon is frying nearby and someone is making fried potatoes and eggs, so life goes on-------even after Christmas is over.
Happy New Year, my friends.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Old Fashioned Christmas
Like a great many other retired folks, we have simplified and streamlined our Christmas preparations a great deal. I zero in on the essentials and eliminate lots of cooking, baking, (eating), and extraneous decorating that used to stress me out.
I did, however, sign up for a swap on the website which is my online "home away from home" and it is a taste of the Christmases of the past.
My swap partner to whom I will send things is (conveniently) traveling to London for the Christmas holiday, so I can send her gifts after the rush at the post office.
But the person who sent a gift to me went all out.
The crazy quilt patchwork sock on the left is the size we generally fill for each other. The stretchy knit sock on the right is the sock my friend chose for me. (Insert a gasp.)
Not only is the size worth noting, but it is also cable stitched and very pretty as a decoration.
It was enclosed in a box with--------brace yourself--------twenty-five wrapped items.
I did, however, sign up for a swap on the website which is my online "home away from home" and it is a taste of the Christmases of the past.
My swap partner to whom I will send things is (conveniently) traveling to London for the Christmas holiday, so I can send her gifts after the rush at the post office.
But the person who sent a gift to me went all out.
The crazy quilt patchwork sock on the left is the size we generally fill for each other. The stretchy knit sock on the right is the sock my friend chose for me. (Insert a gasp.)
Not only is the size worth noting, but it is also cable stitched and very pretty as a decoration.
It was enclosed in a box with--------brace yourself--------twenty-five wrapped items.
I have opened some of them to discover luxurious hand cream, Kona coffee, notebooks, beautiful soaps, chocolate covered caramels (!), little tissue packages with seasonal motifs, bookmarks, and a wonderful mug with cat cartoons on the outside. That one has been in constant use since I opened it.
I don't believe I've ever had a Christmas stocking with such generosity at work! Thanks Michelle, you're a wonder! It's inspired me to up my game----peer pressure at it's best.
Merry Christmas, everyone, in case I don't get back here very soon. I have some more shopping to do.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Humility
One of the things I've been doing in place of blogging is hanging out with Bonnie K Hunter of Quiltville. She is a prolific pro quilter with blogs, classes, travels, and the whole magilla.
She starting a mystery project and the first directions were to cut what appeared to be equilateral triangles and the shapes which would adjoin them to result in a 3 and a half inch square. Can't be hard, right?
I even have the template shapes to use which she recommends using to end up with a perfect result.
I am not proud to report that I grabbed another triangle and cut about thirty triangles wrong. And I also managed to cut the wrong color. I'm laughing at my own dopiness and happy that I'm using scraps and I'll be able to use them all in something else.
I am happy that one of the best things about quilting is that you can figure out a way to use almost everything. It's sort of Goof Proof. No wonder I like it so much.
She starting a mystery project and the first directions were to cut what appeared to be equilateral triangles and the shapes which would adjoin them to result in a 3 and a half inch square. Can't be hard, right?
I even have the template shapes to use which she recommends using to end up with a perfect result.
I am not proud to report that I grabbed another triangle and cut about thirty triangles wrong. And I also managed to cut the wrong color. I'm laughing at my own dopiness and happy that I'm using scraps and I'll be able to use them all in something else.
I am happy that one of the best things about quilting is that you can figure out a way to use almost everything. It's sort of Goof Proof. No wonder I like it so much.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)